When families flee their villages, the first thing they lose is shelter. Many arrive in Bamenda and the surrounding towns with nothing, and are taken in by relatives or host families who are already stretched. Others sleep in unfinished buildings, church halls or in the bush.

Emergency shelter

Our first response is to get a roof over people's heads. We distribute tarpaulins, roofing sheets, poles, nails and rope so that families can put up a basic shelter quickly, and we prioritise households headed by women, older people and people living with a disability.

Supporting host families

Most displaced people in the North West are not living in camps — they are staying with host families. That generosity carries a real cost. We support host households so that taking in a displaced family does not push both families into destitution, and we help with rental support where hosting is no longer possible.

Repair and reconstruction

Where it is safe to return, we help families repair what was damaged so they can go home rather than remain displaced indefinitely. Shelter work is carried out alongside our water and sanitation and protection teams, because a shelter without a latrine, clean water or safety is not a home.

How we decide who is helped

We work with community leaders, parish structures and community-based organisations to identify the most vulnerable households. Selection criteria are explained openly in the community, and we maintain a complaints and feedback channel so people can question a decision.

• WASH
• Health
• Food Assistance
• Non food item assistance (NFI)
• Protection
• Education and training
• Child soldier rehabilitation
• Human trafficking
• Sustainable agriculture assistance

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